Cut-out



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

`E. THOMSON 85 E. W. RICE, Jr.

l CUT-OUT.

180.425.588. Patented Apr. 15,1890.

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'GUT-OUT.

N0.425,588. Patented Apr. 15,1890.

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` A TTORNE YS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIHU THOMSON AND EDVIN VILBUR RICE, JR., OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

OUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,588, dated April 15, 1890.

Serial No. 238,724. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that we, ELIHU 'THOMSON and EDWIN WILBUR RICE, Jr., citizens of the United States, and residents of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of l\flassachusetts, have invent-ed a certain new and useful Flectric Out-Out, of which the following is a speciiication.

Our invention relates to elect-ric cut-out apn paratus designed for use with incandescent electric lamps or other translating devices and properly organized to automatically complete a branch or substitute path for the electric current in case of derangement or rupture of that path or branch which includes the incandescent lamp or other device.

Our invention relates more especially to that form of apparatus in which the substitute path contains an artificial electric resistance designed to approximately equal the resistance of the lamp or other device, although various features ot' improvement are obviously applicable to other forms of cut-out devices.

The object of our invention is to provide for a proper ventilation of the cut-out devices, while at the same time preventing damage from fused material---` such as resistancewire--fused by the action of the current in the cut-out apparatus.

The object of the invention is further to 'improve the general construction of the electrical resistance -frame and to allow for a proper ventilation of the artiiicial resistance, so as to prevent overheating.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the insulation of the conductors, which enter the cut-out box or casing.

The invention relates, further, to details of construction and improvements, which will be described hereinafter, and will be specifically stated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical section through the casin g of a cutout apparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 2 shows the opposite side of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an elevation taken at right angles to Fig. l. Fig. 4.- is a diagram of the circuits.

C indicates a base-plate, of any suitable material, having, preferably, a number of perforations, and E a top plate supported upon a frame A A, which rests on the plate C. The case D is secured in place in any desired way and is adapted to slip downwardly to expose the parts. The top plate E and the sides of casing l) are also preferably perforated to facilitate the ventilation of the cut-out apparatus. The top plate E is attached to a tube F, which is properly constructed for attachment to a bracket or other fixture, and has within it a bushing G, of lava or other insulating material. Extending through the bushing are two holes, through which pass the conductors leading to the cut-out apparatus. The bushing G holdslthe conductors apart and keeps them insulated from one another, thus permitting the employment of bare wires at this point.

The cut-out electro-magnet (indicated at H) is properly secured to a plate L, that in turn is bolted to the frame A, but is insulated therefrom in any proper Inanncr. The armature of said electro-magnet (indicated at l) is carried by a thin plate K of conducting Inaterial--such as copper-which latter has its rear end bent around the lower edge of the plate L and secured thereto by a screw or bolt, or otherwise. Supported also by said plate L are binding-posts l 2 3 4, the first of which is secured directly to said plate, and is therefore in electrical connection therewith and with the copper plate K, while the remaining posts 2 3 a are insulated from the plate in any proper Inanner.

A stop T is provided for the armature, against which stop the armature or the plate K rests when the armature is not lifted by the electro-magnet.

A frame, upon which the fine Germairsilver, platinum, or other wire which constitutes an electric resistance is wound, is made as follows: N N indicate bolts or posts, of iron or other suitable material, projecting from the frame A and having strung upon them a series of plates O O and separating-washers. The plates O are of insulating material, preferably mica, and are notched at their edges, as shownA ln these notches the German-silver7 platinum, or other wire is wound. The

plates O are also perforated, as shown, to facilitate the passage of cooling currents of air between and through the plates. The spaces between them also facilitate the ventilation. M indicates a fusible strip or safety-plug that unites the binding-posts 2 3.

Sustained from IOO the lower plate O is the socket and switch for an incandescent lamp or other apparatus, (indicated at m7,) and between said socket and the lower perforated plate O is a pan or receptacle T2, to catch any fused met-al that may be formed through the fusion of the resistance-Wire or other portion of the cut-out apparatus.

One manner of connecting and employing' the apparatus is as follows: The bare conductors 0c y, which pass through the bushing G, are connected to the binding-posts l 2 and rest upon a sleeve S, of clay or other insulating material, strung upon a wire uniting the two sides of the frame A. The post 2 is also connected with one end of the German-silver or platinum resistance-wire, the other end of said wire beingconnected to the stop T. The electro-magnet H connects with binding-post 3 at one end' and its opposite end connects with binding-post 4,fromv which latter a wire leads through the tube B vto the lamp-support and lamp, the return-wire connecting, as indicated, to the binding-post l. In the circuit leading from binding-post 2 through the electro-magnet and lamp is the fusible plug M,designed as a safet 7plug. By these connections the parts are electrically7 united in the manner shown in Fig. 4, the plug M, magnet H, and incandescent lamp S being in one branch, while another branch is formed when the armature I drops away through resistance R, stop T, and armature-supporting plate K. The resistance R may be approximately the same as that of the lamp, or maybe made only suficient to allow the magnet H to receive sufficient current to lift up its armature when the switch of the socket is turned to admit cur rent to the lamp through the branch including the magnet. `lVith the arrangement shown the branch, including the resistance is kept open by the armature I; but should the branch ineludingthe lamp be broken from any cause Whatever the magnet H would lose its power and the substitute branch containing the resistance R would be closed, thus providing a path for the current independently of the lamp or other device.

What we claim as our invention is- I. In an incandescent lamp cut-out and support, the combination of a base-plate O, carrying an automatic cut-ont switch for completinga shunt around the lamp, a socket for the lamp sustained by a rod pendent from said base-plate, and a pan or receptacle T2, secured to the pendent rod between the baseplate and socket, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the plate C, of the frame A, carrying the top plate E, the cut-out magnet, and the electric resistanceeframe, as and for the purpose described.

3. In an electric cut-out apparatus, a controlling electro-magnet and a resistanccframe, both mounted on a frame connecting and supporting the bottom and top plates'for the inclosing-casing, in combination with the sliding casing D, as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination, substantially as described, with a series of plates of insulating material having' notched edges, of one or more horizontal sustaining bolts passing through perforations in said plates and sustaining the same in vertical position, an electrical resistance-wire or conductor wound on the plates, and separating washers or pieces strung upon the bolts between the plates, as and for the purpose described.

5. An electrical resistance-f rame consisting of a series of separated perforated plates ot' insulating material.

Signed at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of l\lassachusetts, thisr 17 th day of May, A. D. 1887.

ELIHU THOMSON. E. WILBUR RICE, JR.

Witnesses:

G. E. EMMoNs, J. W. GIBBONEY. 

